three letters from Teddy

I mentioned in my previous blog entry that sometimes the bestest of relationships begin on the wrong foot.. and this was exactly how the author and Teddy began their relationship on the wrong foot. With the other judging at once the other. The first paragraphs tell us that we shouldn't be judgmental especially that we are teachers. Yes, I am a teacher, proud to be, happy to be.. I remember what my professor told me during my first years of taking my course that inside the classroom there will always be those students who will annoy you, these students whom you silently wish will be absent for that day or maybe for the whole year. Yes it is bad, but hey this is reality. No matter how we try to be fair and equal to all of our students their will always be that evil force we call bias.

My personal principle as a teacher to be, is that I should always face the students as individuals inside a room not as a group or as a class inside a room. Why did I say this? I believe that we are unique individuals we have our own strengths, weaknesses, needs and capabilities As teachers we were trained to be accepting of this reality, we were trained to always put the child at the center and always value their needs. We have to be considerate of every aspect but of course not to the extent that we tolerate their wrong doings. The story I just rode made me more sure of this thinking that I have, that I am right, that one day this scenario will also happen to me... but I have to be better, because I am more considerate.

They say that we always remember those who are intelligent but inside the classroom I believe that we should exert more effort to those who are having a hard time cope and that we should go deeper to why this child is asking in a negative way. Teachers have to change this disposition by reaching out to the child. I have always said to myself that being an early childhood educator isn't such a hard job and is easily forgotten, but this story proved me wrong. I can make a huge impact on a child... and it is up to me if I make a hole or create stairs to a positive learning disposition. I always hope for the latter.

Never underestimate your power to teach minds, touch hearts, and change lives. As a teacher you can do all of these if you just do it right and do your job with passion and love. You can be a mother, a sister, a friend to your students... of course with limitation.. and be surprised of that one day when you receive a letter or maybe an actual encounter with your old students and tell you how you changed their lives forever.